The Big SandBox, a Philadelphia nonprofit, is pleased to announce it has won a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Cities Challenge award, following an application process that saw more than 7,000 applicants from around the country. The Big SandBox is one of seven Philadelphia area recipients, 32 awards were given in 12 cities.
“Not only did the Knight Cities Challenge uncover a wealth of new ideas to make our cities more successful, it will help strengthen a network of civic innovators who are taking hold of the future of their cities,” said Carol Coletta, Knight Foundation vice president for community and national initiatives. “These important connections will help create a pipeline for new approaches to city transformation and spark the type of collaboration vital to growing and spreading good ideas.”
“We’re humbled and very fortunate to have this kind of startup support to develop a strong grassroots organizing effort and social media campaign,” said Jake Gaffigan, Executive Director of The Big SandBox.
The $149,050 grant will help develop a civic movement, DIG Philly, to bring together diverse voices across Philadelphia as they begin renovating the city’s 300 public schoolyards. With digital engagement tools and community organizing, The Big SandBox will develop the branding, marketing and community outreach of the DIG Philly campaign.
The Big SandBox is currently supporting grassroots fundraising, design and construction efforts at four schoolyards in Philadelphia (Hackett, William D. Kelley, McKinley, and Nebinger), each of which is developing construction designs that integrate green infrastructure, physical activity, nutrition and gardens, and community parks.
The DIG Philly campaign will dovetail into current efforts by the EPA and Philadelphia Water to encourage individuals to adopt and advocate the technology behind green infrastructure and green schoolyards.
The Knight Cities Challenge is funding ideas to make the 26 cities where Knight invests more vibrant places to live and work. The challenge asks innovators to answer the question: What’s your best idea to make cities more successful? Knight Foundation’s community and national initiatives program invests in civic innovators who help cities attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of engagement. The foundation believes that designing places to achieve these goals is crucial to city success.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged.
For more, visit knightfoundation.org.